USA > New York > Yates County > History of Yates County, N.Y. : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 52
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Lynn, John, was born in Brockport, N. Y., April 17, 1827. When six years of age his father died and he came to Dundee to live with his uncle Elisha, where he remained until sixteen years old. He then
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learned the machinist's trade, serving four years with John E. Bliven, of Dundee. He then came to Penn Yan and worked for E. B. Jones & Co., until 1858. In 1850 he married Susan A. Southerland, by whom he had six children. Two are living, Fred H. and Jennie, wife of Charles W. Smith, of Rochester. Fred H. was born December 25, 1857, and married Alice Hutcher, of Penn Yan, by whom he has had two children, Bessie and Maithy S. He has been foreman of the Com- mercial Iron Works since 1885. In the fall of 1858 John Lynn went to Seneca Falls, taking charge of the pump department of Silsby & Co., for nine years. In 1865 his wife died, leaving four children. In 1866 he married Sarah E., a sister of his former wife. By her he has had three children, one of whom is living, Mamie, wife of William Webbie, of Penn Yan. In 1868 the subject of our sketch went to Pomeroy, Ohio, to take charge of a large manufacturing establishment, but on ac- count of ill -health was obliged to return to Penn Yan in 1871, and worked for Whitaker & Brian until the fall of 1872, when he assisted in organizing the Commercial Iron Works, of which he has been super- intendent since. William Sutherland, son of John, was born in New Jersey November, 27, 1812, and came to Benton when three years of age. He married Roxanna Henry, of Geneva, and had eight children. He settled in Penn Yan in 1830 and carried on shoemaking until 1888, residing at the present time with his daughter, Mrs. J. Lynn.
Mariner, Ephraim 2d, a native of Connecticut, was born May 26, 1766. His wife, Rhoda Hollister, also a native of Connecticut, was born May II, 1767. They were married December 20, 1792, and had chil- dren as follows: Hannah, born October 13, 1793, married Dudley Brown, of Benton, and died January 4, 1864 ; Persis, born February 15, 1795, married John J. Smith and lives in Milwaukee, Wis., aged ninety- six years. William, born February 6, 1797, died January 24, 1867 ; Miles, born October 24, 1798, died July 4, 1862 ; Amanda, born Jan- uary 5, 1801, died September 6, 1833 ; Polly (or Mary), born January 13, 1803, died about 1806; Fanny, born December 2, 1804, married Benjamin Dean, and Celestia, born May 12, 1807, died June 20, 1810. Miles Mariner was a butcher in Penn Yan, but he afterwards became a real estate and mill owner. Miles married first Millicent Seeley, Jan- uary 22, 1826, and had these children : Ephraim, Celestia, Samuel S.,
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and William. His first wife died in August, 1835, and in 1844 he mar- ried second Maria Keeler, by whom he had three children : Charles, Barnet, and George W.
McDowell, John, a native of New Jersey, in 1795 became a pioneer of the Genesee country, settling first in Jerusalem on the west branch of Lake Keuka, on land purchased from the Hornby estate. About 1803 he came to the " foot of the lake," on the Milo side. Six years later he moved further up the lake where he died in 1814. He had a family of six children, viz. : William, who married Doratha Decker and lived in Barrington, and among whose children are John and William of the same place; Sarah, who married David Hall, and lived in Wayne, Steu- ben County; Esther, who married Wallace Finch, and lived near Italy, Yates County ; Elizabeth, who married Jonathan Taylor and lived in Barrington ; Catharine, who married Henry Cronkrite and lived in Tyrone, Schuyler County, and Matthew, who married Maria Mitchell and lived in Wayne. The latter had four children : Ann Eliza, who married Samuel Hallett, and resides in Wayne; Francis M., who mar- ried Eva Sherwood, also resides in Wayne ; Marie Louise, who married Gen. N. M. Crane, resides in Hornellsville ; George W., who married Mary E. Spencer and resides in Penn Yan.
Meade, James, was born in Penn Yan in May, 1858, and was the son of Francis L. and Bridget Meade. At the age of fifteen James began learning the cigar making trade, and before reaching his majority he was in business for himself. His shop and store are in the Knapp House block, where five men are constantly employed. Mr. Meade was elected village treasurer at the spring meeting of 1891. His wife was Elizabeth Grady, of Branchport, whom he married in January, 1886. They have one child.
Moore, Deacon John, was born in Scoharie, N. Y., November 17, 1795, and removed to this county (then Ontario) in 1813. The same year he married Sabra, daughter of John Beal, of Jerusalem, and settled on a farm on Bluff Point. Their children were Mary A., Phebe A., Whitman, Beal, Obera, Jane E., Sabra, Genette Lydia and George D. In 1866 he married second Mrs. Margaret Dow, of St. Anthony, Minn. George D. Moore was born in this county February 13, 1838, and mar-
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ried Abbie D. Dow, of Little Falls, Minn., in October, 1859. Six chil- dren have been born to them, four of whom survive: William H., John D., G. Vernon and Perlie C. Mr. Moore resides on the Beales home- stead and is engaged extensively in the vinegar business. He served in the late war in Company L, 14th New York Heavy Artillery, and participated in the Battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. William H. and John D. are vineyardists, each own- ing twenty acres of the homestead farm.
Morgan, Charles, born in New York City, when three years of age came to Penn Yan with his uncle F. H. Morgan, residing with him until ten or twelve years of age, when at his uncle's death he went to live with Susan Wells in Jerusalem, remaining five years. At the age of fifteen he entered the store of M. D. Munger, under contract to clerk for him for five years, for which he was to receive $50 the first year, $80 the second year, $100 the third year, $120 the fourth year and $150 the fifth year. After one year Mr. Munger sold his business to Messerole & Co., and he remained with them five years. They then moved west, Mr. Morgan going with them to Red Wing in 1857, where he remained one year, then entered the hardware store of Morgan & Co., remaining about six months, after which he went to Iowa City for one year, then to Illinois remaining two years on a farm, after which he returned to Penn Yan in the fall of 1861 and entered a mercantile establishment, where he remained one year, then entered the store of N. R. Long & Co., remaining until 1886, when the firm was changed to Morgan & Perkins. Mr. Morgan, in company with H. W. Perkins, purchased the stock of N. R. & W. H. Long, continuing until 1891, when he bought Mr. Perkins's interest. On account of failing health he sold the business on April 26, to D. A. Ogden. Mr. Morgan married Ione Corey Morse, of Penn Yan.
Ogden, Hon. D. A., son of Elizabeth and Abigal (Braudt) Ogden was born at Northville, Cayuga County, N. Y., August 14, 1813. He attended the district schools of his native county until fifteen years of age, when he came to Penn Yan, living in the family of Henry Bradley two or three years and attending the Penn Yan Academy. He entered the store of Samuel Stevens as clerk, and December 18, 1834, married Judith A. Lawrence, of Milo, by whom he had thirteen children, four
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surviving. Mr. Ogden studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was elected to the State legislature one term, and took an active part in raising volunteers for the late war. He was sent as Minister Resident to the Sandwich Islands by President Pierce and remained there two years ; was canal appraiser under Governor Seymour, was elected canal commissioner in 1876, and was an influential member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for many years. He was a trustee of Willard Asylum from its foundation until his death. Was appointed by Cleve- land one of the Prison Labor Commissioners. He died May 4, 1889. His widow still resides in Penn Yan.
Parks, Marvin, was born September 18, 1831, in Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., and learned the wagon maker's trade in Port Byron. He came to Penn Yan in 1852, where he opened a shop a year later and has been in business ever since. He married Mary Swarthout, of Tyrone, N. Y., and had one daughter, Lillian, wife of C. W. Morgan. He was twice elected corporation assessor.
Peckins, Myron, a son of Elipha and Martha Peckins, early settlers in this county, was born in Benton, October 21, 1829, and reared on a farm. He devoted several winters to teaching school, worked his fath- er's farm, and afterward became its owner. By industry and persever- ance he acquired a comfortable competency. In 1880 Mr. Peckins be- came a resident of the county seat. In 1854 he married Sarah J., . daughter of Alvah Taylor, of Benton, by whom he has two children, Ion, wife of Norman Lockwood, of Penn Yan, and Byron E., who mar- ried Florence A. Henderson and now lives on the old home farm at Benton.
Potter, Jeptha A., who owns and resides in the old stone mansion built by the pioneer, Morris F. Sheppard, on Main street, is a native of Potter township and a descendant of Judge William Potter, one of the first settlers of Yates County. Jeptha's mother was Nancy Wilkinson, a relative of the Friend. At the age of twenty-one Jeptha commenced work for himself on his father's farm, but after five years he bought a place with his father and moved on it. About this time he married Sarah, daughter of Noah Davis, of Jerusalem. No children have been born to them, but they have adopted and reared four. In 1870 Mr.
,
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Potter came to reside in Penn Yan, where his wife died in 1884. Mr. Potter is a successful man and a self-made one. He has been a mem- ber of the M. E. Church for more than forty years. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never aspired to office holding.
Pratt, Seneca L., son of H. D., was born in Milo, January 12, 1852, was educated at the public schools of Penn Yan, and married Guertha Wolcott, daughter of George W., September 27, 1882. He has two children, Carrie and Florence. In 1873 he entered his father's shoe store as clerk, continuing as such for three years, when he was taken into partnership, the firm becoming H. D. Pratt & Son. In 1880 he sold shoe business and bought interest in flour mill and commission business, firm being Andrews, Pratt & Co., and in 1883 firm changed to Russell, Fox & Co., he continuing with same until 1887. A year later he com- menced the manufacture of grape baskets, and in 1891 he built a large factory at the foot of Monnell street, which was burned August 25, 1891, and rebuilt within thirty days of fire, being the largest and best equipped factory anywhere in this section.
Price, Ira, was born in Erie County, N. Y., September 30, 1858, and married Louise Goodsell, of Potter, November 12, 1884, by whom he has two children, Harry and Allen. Mr. Price is a member of the firm of E. A. Price & Co., manufacturers of wheels, spokes, etc.
Price, George W., was born in Erie County, N. Y., on August 20, 1856, and married Ella A. Green, of Canandaigua, N. Y., November 3, 1881. Mr. Price has been associated with his brother, Ira Price, in the business of manufacturing spokes, etc., since 1882. He is a member of the firm of E. A. Price & Co.
Raplee, Ira, born in Little Britain, Greene County, January 23, 1804, was the son of Joshua and Keziah Raplee, and the sixth of their eleven children. In 1805 the family came to what is now Torrey, where the parents lived and died. Ira lived on a farm until he was fifty years old, and then moved to Dundee to educate his children. In 1870 he moved to Penn Yan, where he has since resided, Mr. Raplee has never been an idle man, and even in his retirement from business life and regard- less of his advanced age is still active both in body and mind. A life of industry and frugality have brought him a substantial fortune. In
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1826 Mr. Raplee married Polly Smith, by whom he had four children : William R., Keziah, Sarah and Villa. His wife died April 9, 1843. April 10, 1845, he married Caroline Smith, a sister of his first wife. She died August 13, 1877. September 3, 1878, Mr. Raplee again married Mary Jane Owen, daughter of Jonathan Owen, an old and respected citi- zen of Milo.
Rogers, Jerome D., born in Monroe County, N. Y., June 11, 1857 ; was reared on a farm and at the age of fourteen began work in a dry goods store. In this employment he lived in Honeoye Falls and at Rochester-at the latter place about five years. In April, 1881, he came to Penn Yan and became a member of the enterprising firm of Roenke & Rogers. In 1883 he married Corleyn Baker, of Rochester, of which marriage two children have been born.
Rupert, Justus O., whose home is in Penn Yan village, was born in Geneva, in 1842 ; he came to Penn Yan about ten years ago, and en- tered a general nursery business. In 1880 Mr. Rupert married Eliza- beth Bilsborrow, of Geneva, by whom he has one child.
Sampson, Dr. Franklin S., has been a practicing physician of Penn Yan for only three years, yet he is an exceedingly busy man in his pro- fession. He was born at St. Albans, Me., in 1851, was educated in the common and Normal schools of that State, read medicine with Dr. W. E. Fellows, attended the Hahnneman Medical College, of Philadel- phia, and was graduated in 1882. He practiced for a time at Holton, Me., and for about six years in Monroe County, N. Y. In 1888 he located in Penn Yan.
Shannon, Deacon George W., son of Daniel and Lydia (Raplee) Shannon (who moved from New Jersey to this county), was born in Starkey, December 27, 1806, one of nineteen children born to his par- ents. They came to this country with the earliest settlers, and took up their residence at what afterwards became known as Shannon's Corners. George received a common school education, and when sixteen years of age took charge of his father's grist-mill for three years. He then ran a boat on Seneca Lake for five years, and on the Erie Canal for two years. January 20, 1830, he married Eliza Wilkins, of Jerusalem, by whom he had one daughter, Mary A., wife of Frank L. Wentworth,
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residents of Penn Yan. In 1837 he became convinced that his life ought to be lived with a view to serving God, and with this thought uppermost in his mind he united with the Baptist Church at Himrods, being baptized in Seneca Lake in February of that year. It was in connection with the Himrods Church that he so proved himself in Christian work as to be ordained a deacon in 1840. In April, 1844, he bought a farm in Benton and moved there, and here he resided for two years. He then sold it and bought a farm in Milo, just out of the vil- lage of Penn Yan, and connected himself with the Baptist Church of that place. His wife died May 15, 1852, and he married, second, Feb- ruary 12, 1853, Mary E. Gould, by whom he had one daughter, Lillie, wife of L. J. Sprague. His second wife died May 20, 1874, and he mar- ried, third, Fannie Osborn, who survives him. In 1875 he sold his farm at war prices and moved to Penn Yan, where he resided up to the time of his death. During the past forty seven years Deacon Shannon has identified himself with every good work. On Thursday, Decem- ber 24, at 8 o'clock A. M., he departed this life. His funeral services were held in the Baptist Church on Sunday, December 27, 1891, which was the eighty-fifth anniversary of his birth.
Shearman, Oliver G., a native of Milo, was born August 7, 1834. His father, George Shearman, was of Irish nativity, while his mother, Re- becca, daughter of David Wagener, was born in the city of Philadel- phia. Oliver G. was the eleventh of their twelve children. He lived on a farm until past twenty-one years of age. His early education was acquired in the common schools. In 1857 he came to Penn Yan and engaged in the grain business, and May 1, 1860, the present firm of Shearman & Lewis, grain dealers, was formed. Prior to 1860 Mr. Shearman's brother was his partner. In 1882 the Yates County Malt House was erected, and the malting house of O. G. Shearman & Co., composed of Mr. Shearman, John Lewis, E. C. Dwelle and G. R. Youngs was formed. In 1888 Mr. Youngs retired, since which time the other members of the firm have conducted the business. Oliver G. Shear- man is not unknown in local Democratic circles. In 1862 he was elected town clerk of Milo, and moved the office to Penn Yan. In 1868 he was elected trustee of the village and two or three years later was made president of the board, holding that office two years. In 1875
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he was elected county treasurer by a majority of 139; in 1887 .he was the Democratic candidate for the Assembly, but was defeated by a small majority, the normal Republican majority of Yates County being over 1,200. He now holds the office of trustee of " the Willard Hospital for the Insane," having been appointed to that office by David B. Hill. Outside of politics Mr. Shearman has been identified with a number of measures, each of which had for its end the substantial wel- fare of Penn Yan. To him and his associates was due the honor of bringing about the railroad leading from Dresden to Lake Keuka, being president of the company that procured the right of way. Many other public improvements might be recalled, but space forbids.
Sprague, James S., a native of Milo, was born in May, 1834, the son and third child of the four children of Jeremiah and Priscilla (Fergu- son) Sprague. His father was a tailor at Milo Center, but James was brought up to farm work. He lived at home until reaching his thirty- second year, when he married. He still worked the home farm until his father died. Seven years ago Mr. Sprague bought his present farm on the East road. He is one of Milo's successful farmers. His wife was Lucy Jane, daughter of Henry Hunt, a highly respected citizen of Milo. One child only has been born to them, Delos E., at present a student at Cornell.
Steelman, Franklin W., known to the local mercantile trade for about ten or twelve years, was first employed here in the store of H. W. Per- kins In 1886 he went into business with Horatio Hazen, a partnership that continued until about two years ago. Mr. Steelman was born in New Jersey in 1843, and at the age of nineteen he became clerk in a grocery store in Jersey City. Afterwards he found similar employment in New York city. His place of business in Penn Yan is prominently located on Main street, and his stock in trade is carefully selected and complete.
Swarthout, Lewis, born in Tyrone, Steuben County, N. Y., August 17, 1827, was the son, and the seventh of the ten children, of Henry and Polly Swarthout. In 1849 Henry Swarthout and family moved to Milo, and located on the farm now owned by Lewis. There he died in 1864, followed by his wife, four years later. Lewis lived in Tyrone
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until 1869, when upon the death of his mother, he came to Milo. This is known as the " old Fort farm," an account of which somewhat pecul- iar name will be found in the historical department of this volume. November 16, 1848, Mr. Swarthout and Louisa Hallock were married. They have two children, Frank B. and Martha J. In Milo Lewis Swart- hout is known as an industrious and successful farmer. He is not act- ive in town affairs, yet has an interest in all that pertains to its welfare. The family are members of the Second Milo Baptist Church, of which Frank B. Swarthout is clerk.
Wagener, Lucius P., son of George, grandson of Abram, and great- grandson of David Wagener, attended the common schools and Penn Yan Academy, and finished his education at Eastman's Business Col- lege, in Rochester, with his brother. He bought the grocery stock of Mr. Thompson, and conducted a partnership business for five or six years, when Lucius P. became sole proprietor. Mr. Wagener married Mary E., daughter of J. C. Shannon, of Starkey. He is a Democrat in politics. He was deputy sheriff during his father's incumbency of the sheriff's office of Yates County.
Watrous, Thomas S., a native of Potter County, Pa., located in Penn Yan in 1885, and was employed by George Beebe in his carriage fac- tory for five years. In 1890 he opened a shop on Stark avenue, where he engaged in the manufacture of the Watrous road carts, which he in- vented in 1890-91. He manufactures about 200 a year of carts and wagons. They are also manufactured in different parts of the State, netting him a royalty of over $50 a month.
Weare, Samuel C., born near Seneca Lake, N. Y., January 20, 1813, died in Penn Yan in September, 1891. During his youth Mr. Weare was apprenticed to a country merchant in which employment he first came to Penn Yan. Being afflicted with ague he went to Potter Cen- ter, but soon returned to the county seat. In 1836 he had charge of a dry goods store at Rushville, where he remained two years. He was then employed in various places for some years, but returned to Penn Yan where he was employed by Ketchum & Sharp, succeeding, how- ever, the junior member of that firm about 1850. For three years Mr. Weare was a merchant, and then was engaged in lumbering in Canada,
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continuing thus ten years. Again in 1862 he came to Penn Yan and started in the grocery business, but soon sold out and returned to lum- bering for three more years. He bought a farm in Benton which he soon sold and moved to Albany to retire from active business. Later he returned to Benton but left again to superintend the building of docks, roads and tracks at Buffalo. After this he went again into lum- bering, this time at Bay City, Mich., in partnership with his son-in-law. Eight years later he returned to Penn Yan. About 1840 Mr. Weare married Martha W., daughter of Israel Arnold, by whom he had two children. His wife died in 1874. In 1879 he married Sarah A. Pol- lock, who survives him.
Whittaker, Jonathan (son of William Harlow), was born August 15, 1841, and was educated at the common schools. He engaged until 1866 in farming, when he came.to Penn Yan and formed a partnership with his uncle, A. F. Whittaker, carrying on a foundry and machine shop, which was burned April 30, 1872. He formed a connection with the Commercial Iron works Co., of which he was secretary and treasu- rer. Since 1884 he has been president of the company. He married Eliza Woolley, of Jamaica, L. I., by whom he had three children, Clar- ence A., Cornelia A., and Maud E. His wife died May 8, 1874. He married, second, Alida M. Wyckoff, of Penn Yan, in 1884, by whom he had three children, Ruth M., Janet and Ralph T. (deceased).
Whitfield, William H., was born in New Jersey and became a resi- dent of this county soon after the close of the civil war. He was in the service as a member of Company G., 149th New York Volunteers, hav- ing enlisted in Angust, 1862, at Syracuse, and serving about three years. On first coming to Penn Yan Mr. Whitfield worked at his trade of car- riage trimming, but afterward became associated in business with George Beebe. In the year 1884 the firm of Whitfield & McCormick was formed, and has since pursued a successful business. Reference to the manufactures of the firm is made in the chapter devoted to Penn Yan. In 1868 Mr. Whitfield married Hattie Wheeler, widowed daughter of John and Huldah Underdonk. Two children have been born to them.
Youngs, Isaiah, a farmer, came to Milo from Essex County, N. J., in 1802, and had six children : Stephen, George, Benjamin, Nancy,
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Elizabeth and Polly. George was thirteen years old when his father came to Milo. He married Rebecca Pitney, by whom he had six chil- dren, the three surviving being George R., Isaiah and Phebe. George R., born November 28, 1871, was educated at Yates County Academy at Penn Yan, and when eighteen years of age commenced teaching. ยท He taught several terms, and in 1834 entered the store of Wheeler & Van Rensselear, remaining with them three years. January 1, 1841, he was appointed deputy county clerk, and held that position six years. For several years following he was a broker and speculator, and in 1854 went to Chicago and opened a retail lumber yard, remaining there two years. In 1855 he built the first malt house ever built in Penn Yan. He carried on that business for ten years with D. W. Streetor and and others, the last five years the firm name being George R. Youngs & Co. In 1867 he sold out to Tuttle Brothers ; he then carried on a private banking business for several years. Since 1870 he has been a practical civil engineer and surveyor. He made the preliminary sur- vey for the New York and Penn Yan Railroad Co., from Penn Yan to Dresden, and the present Fall Brook Company, made most of the sur- vey for their road in 1862, issued " shin plasters " for the use of Penn Yan, kept the meteorological volunteer survey for the government, and for the past fifteen years has settled more estates than any one man in town. January 1, 1866 he was appointed agent and warden for Sing Sing Prison, which he held over one year. Has given considerable at- tention to the searching of titles and making loans on real estate since 1872, and has been a practical botanist. He has a good herbarium. He was elected a member of the board of education, having held that position most of the time since 1877. In 1848 he married Philana Arnold, of Italy, Yates County.
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